Satty

No, if this were written by someone who read C&G, there would be a few EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! references.

Parts of that read like something I'd write.

Not that bad, the crown of thorns I was going to make the guy wear is in the LeSabre. But today I learned that beautiful spring days on a college campus can turn an engaged man suicidal. And also, I should never begin a conversation with, "You know what I miss about being single?"

Wow, I forgot, you represent the entire population of the world. Back here in reality, 99.9999999999999% of SUV owners never get further off road than some wet grass or maybe a gravel road. Really, for every Wrangler with a 6 inch lift and 40 inch tires, there are a million CR-Vs. Hell, even some of those jacked up Jeeps dont see a trail.

Because the engineer didn't necessarily decide where the brake lines run in the car.

It looks like James Bond and Batman tried to breed their cars.

Let's put this in terms you're better with. Lets use my brake lines to represent the auto industry. Now lets say those brake lines have been cut, probably by a poster on C&G. Putting industry veterans on the auto recovery panel would be like having the guy who engineered my car's braking system take a look at it. He could tell me what I already knew, that my lines were cut, but offer no new advice. Putting politicians in charge would be like having my brother-in-law look at my brake lines. He'd say, "Yep, they're cut" then give me difficult to follow instructions on how to either repair or replace the lines, putting more emphasis on cost and time than on results. What the auto recovery panel needs is someone in between, someone who understands the basics of a braking system AND how to replace the lines. That person would, in my metaphor, be a certified mechanic. In the auto recovery panel, it would probably be experts in economics, your Paul Krugman and Edmund Phelps types. And in case any of you has any designs on cutting my brake lines, I'm pretty sure the Prius doesn't have any, it is stopped by unicorns.

If you dont mind the less attractive interior, '05 SRXs pop up on eBay for $15-20k, usually you can find something pretty close to what you want, V6, V8, RWD/AWD, and so on. '07+ run a little higher, but you'll get the nicer dash and likely fewer miles. That said, if you're set on getting something new, flip a coin between the Equinox and the Escape. Oh, and there is a reason you can get a "brand new" '08 Grand Vitara for $13k. Nobody buys them because the dealer network sucks (Sorry, its going to take 3 weeks to get your new widget in, enjoy this Aerio loaner) and because they're Suzukis. The "Scarlet S" isn't exactly something sexy people want to wear.

You're the only one saying they have neither. All I said was that business have been run poorly for just about forever, after you said : I didn't say they should send used car salesman and gas station cashiers in there, you merely chose to interpret it that way. I meant they should use intelligent people able to analyze industry, and make recommendations based on what has worked, and what shows potential to work. People who have been running businesses aren't likely to do that, they're more likely to make recommendations based on what they've done, regardless of results.

Knowing how a business works and having experience running a business are two different things.

homosaywhat Not nearly as amusing when typing it out Carry on

Who the hell takes SUVs off road? My vote would be CPO V6 SRX. The V6 is quicker 0-60 than at least a couple of V8 competitors. A link to Cadillac's SRX CPO site. My dealer only has one used SRX listed online, an '08 V6 RWD with 20k for $29,000 and change.

Given the way many businesses have been run in the past...oh, let's say history of the world, I'd be inclined to say the fewer the better.

To rental fleets for minimal, if any, profit. The car is garbage, outclassed by decade old Accords.

The flip side is that people dont get paid $h! around here.

Public crucifixions are great!

40 year old Mitsubishis have absolutely nothing to do with a Mercedes that wont be on lots for months.

And I'm still waiting for a worthy adversary in the uncloggable toilet challenge. I need to find one of those American Standard ones that can supposedly handle 29 golf balls.

I drive by a pretty nice neighborhood everyday. On one corner is a house, listed at $99,900, its a 4br, 3 bath with a pool. I would love, love, love to buy it, at that price, in that area, unless the foundation is crumbling, its a fantastic price. The only downside is the back yard, it would be tiny compared to what I have now without the pool, then you've got the pool taking up all the space. But, unlike my property, trees are able to grow there, and have been growing there for many, many years. There are some pretty niec houses with walk-out basements listed at $149,900, an absolute bargain for 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 2 good sized living areas. And completely unrelated, a couple years ago there was a house in the paper, still under construction, that had 6 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. The +5 bathroom count bothered a friend of mine. The $400k+ pricetag bothered me.

Even without getting into a toxic mortgage, its usually possible to buy a house for what renting costs. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, etc may make it pricier in the short term, but in the long run its worth it. There is a 3br on Craigslist for $85,000. Running quick and dirty numbers through Bankrate's online calculator puts that at $467/month on a 30 year mortgage at 5.21% Renting a 3br house runs $700-800 around here typically. I know one company has had problems renting out some of theirs so they're renting for $550-650.

Government cheese probably went bad. And just to keep this on topic, I'm pretty much indifferent towards all of the renders.

How about some EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, thats pretty awesoime.

Ahhh yes, those little reminders that humanity is doomed. Makes for a great Monday, doesn't it? She was hot enough that it doesn't matter how dumb she is.